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Epson, HP and Brother are some of the most popular printer brands. Canon is another company that often joins these ranks, but if you’re in the market for a new all-in-one inkjet printer, Consumer Reports (CR) thinks Canon models are among the worst. The publication subjects consumer technology devices to rigorous lab testing, and for overall brand reliability, Canon’s cartridge and tank all-in-one inkjet printers didn’t fare as well.
One printer we took a close look at was the Canon MegaTank G3270 all-in-one, which actually has a 4.1 out of 5 star rating on Amazon, based on over 4,800 reviews. Users praised the budget-friendly printer ink refills for this model, but the overall performance left something to be desired. One customer reported complete failure after only 236 pages of use; another had a recurring problem where it never got past the boot cycle. Additionally, the Canon Pixma TS3722 and Pixma MG3620 have been flagged by CR for poor owner satisfaction and poor printing speed, while Walmart shoppers have reported an abundance of paper jams for this model (which is one of the most common printer problems).
On the other hand, trusted consumer technology stores like PCMag and Tom’s Guide have positively reviewed Canon printers, including the G3270 and G3290. Both are entry-level models intended to save money on ink and upfront costs, which generally means fewer advanced features and longer print times.
Quality control seems to be a problem
All the information so far seems to point to a larger quality control problem, as some Canon printers worked just fine, while other units stopped working almost immediately. Generally speaking, if you need an all-in-one inkjet for printing photos, Canon printers are a good choice. Not only has the company long been associated with exceptional image quality, but many of its Pixma and MegaTank models offer colors and skin tones that competitors should take note of.
Some Canon all-in-one inkjets are also aggressively priced, with retailers like Best Buy offering deals on the entry-level Canon Pixma TR4720 for just $69. With any consumer technology purchase, of course, you need to make sure you’ve mastered proper maintenance, and all-in-one inkjet printers are no exception. It’s always a good idea to print a few pages per week, as the print heads can become clogged when not in use.
Consumer Reports is known for informing shoppers about the pros and cons they can expect from popular products. While it’s not an ultimate resource, it’s a solid starting point for those who think home printers are still feeling just as bad in 2026. It also offers a way to take the pulse of the printer brands you can rely on, as well as the less reliable printer brands.
